S1E27 – MC Bonus – “Mailbag Episode (Part 1)”

We’re back! After a bit of a hiatus (sorry about that!), Matt and David are now publishing podcasts again. We’ve got the next six already recorded, edited and ready to go. The next two episodes will be “mailbag episodes” where we will be reading some iTunes reviews and responding to messages from you, the listeners. After that, we’ll be diving into Book IV of Mere Christianity.

Episode 27: “Mailbag Episodes (Part 1)” (Download)

Show Notes

Introduction

Quote-of-the-Week

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art … It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.

C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves

Toast

• The drink-of-the-week was a bourbon, Deceptivus.

Discussion

01. “Your Feedback Matters”

• Matt and David bought Yeti microphones.
• If you would like to do something amazing rate us on iTunes and write us a review! We currently have 29 five-star ratings in iTunes and five written reviews. Here are three of them:

02. “iTunes Reviews”

• iTunes Review #1: “Huge fan of this podcast. David and Matt break down Lewis’ main points in a very simple yet profound way. Thanks for the opportunity to learn more about this great author and his work. God bless!”

• iTunes Review #2: “I really enjoy listening and learn a lot in the process. Matt and David have a casual convo with wit and humor. I think it’s David’s accent that makes him sound so smart”

• iTunes Review #3: “I appreciate the easy listening and Matt and David’s easy way of explaining Jack. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by C.S. Lewis but I am a bit intimidated by his work that I avoid reading more. Can’t wait to keep listening!”

03. “Hobo for Christ”

• Pints with Jack was recommended on Meg Hunter-Kilmer‘s blog, in her post 15 Catholic New Year’s Resolutions:

13. Change what you listen to. Instead of Top 40, try some Audrey Assad or Matt Maher. Instead of talk radio, check out some podcasts (I love Lanky Guys, Fr. John Riccardo, Catholic Stuff You Should Know, and The Eagle and Child). Sanctify your commute and your time in the pickup line by infusing it with Christ.

Meg Hunter-Kilmer

• Make sure you check out Meg’s own podcast! Her “Saint Stories for Kids” episodes are simply adorable. At the time of recording, she is writing a book. Check out some of her work on her website.

04. “Giovanna”

• We ended with an email from a listener named Giovanna. She told us about her Catholic upbringing and how she fell away from the faith for a few reasons:

1. The aggressive language she heard from Christians about homosexuals.

2. The bad behaviour of Christians

3. Family influence

• Matt and David spoke about the importance of responding to questions about the Faith in accordance with this guidance from St. Peter:

Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.

1 Peter 3:15

• David told a story about an atheist and a theist at a football/soccer match to look at how the behaviour of Christians can undermine and substantiate the Faith. 

05. “Cultivating Faith”

• Giovanna’s parents eventually stopped going to church, which made her lose interest in the faith. She talked about getting caught up with a very progressive friend group, who, while well meaning, were spiritually damaging. This reminded David of “The Screwtape Letters”, where the Patient finds a modern friend group.

I am specially glad to hear that the two new friends have not made him acquainted with their whole set. All these, as I find from the record office, are thoroughly reliable people; steady, consistent scoffers and worldlings who without any spectacular crimes are progressing quietly and comfortably towards Our Father’s house.

C. S. Lewis, Screwtape, The Screwtape Letters

• She described life without religious influence and how she ultimately turned to literature for comfort. She found C.S. Lewis and then found the podcast, saying:

I am considering dipping my toes back into Christianity again, but it’s terrifying and difficult. Your podcast, and C. S. Lewis, makes it much less scary.

Giovanna

• David quoted John Eldredge who said (probably in his book Wild At Heart) that if you want to become wise, you need to hang out with wise people. These people can either be living or dead.  

06. “Thank You”

• She talked about how the podcast portrays Christianity in relation to politics.

The more you portray Christianity as it really is, as not conservative or liberal but both and neither, the more it will attract all types of lost people.

Giovanna

07. “Christian Marriage and Headship”

• At the end of Giovanna’s letter, she comments about our episodes on Christian Marriage (Part 1 | Part 2), talking about the consequences of when men fall short and the state of society today:

… in the U.S. 33% of boys feel that they are addicted to video games. 50%-80% watch porn at least monthly (and this is not better for Christian men). 75% of porn contains violence against women. 18% of men drink to much. 30% of women have experienced violence of some kind at the hands of men … Does any of this describe the kind of person you would personally follow? Does any of this describe the kind of person you would make yourself vulnerable to, in the form of submission? Do these men sound like people you would trust to parent your children in the future?

Giovanna

• Matt and David spoke about masculinity and true manhood for a while, mentioning Jordan Peterson, as well as John Eldredge of “Wild At Heart” fame. David also spent some time talking about “Into the Breach”, a document from Bishop Olmstead of Phoenix. He mentioned, in particular, his comments about James Bond:

For decades now, a model for manhood has been fashioned in the fictional British spy character named James Bond. Various actors have taken turns portraying this man who, in several adventures, has proposed what it means to be ‘manly,’ yet Bond remains an enigma. Like the women that he uses in the films, the ones who watch him find themselves wanting to know him. He is never a father, nor does he accept responsibility for or love one woman. In him, we see a man whose relationships are shallow and purely utilitarian. Indeed, ‘James Bond is a male character whose name is the height of irony. He is 40 years old and has no bonds. He is actually pathetic.'”

Bishop Olmstead of Phoenix, Into the Breach

• Matt spoke about the false narratives we hear about men and women. Inspired by Jewish author, David Brooks, from his book “Road To Character”, Matt said “We need better heroes”.

Wrap-Up

Concluding Thoughts

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